Expectation vs Experience

"Do not let what you expected keep you from what God wants you to experience." 
-Steven Furtick, Crash the Chatterbox

What did you imagine for your life, friends? Is that your reality today? I will be honest with you and say that I did not expect to still be where I am now. My life's plans and grand expectations for this point in my life included a bigger house with a pool, far more financial security, more alone time, actual family vacations, less stress, more clients, and maybe a beautiful natural light studio with a gallery and entertaining space. Oh, and a housekeeper. Just keeping it real. :)

But God had other ideas in mind for me first.

I have no way of knowing for sure if all of those dreams will ever become a reality for me, but I choose to believe that God wanted me to experience these warm naptime snuggles for a little while longer. To be home to greet the kids when they get off the bus. To lean on Him a little harder with less money, so I'll know how to rely on Him when we have more of it. He wanted me to stop and be grateful for this tiny (cozy!) house before He gives us a bigger one someday. He wanted to give me a blessing in my struggle. A light during the darkness. A third baby who will change the world right along with her older brother and sister.

Steven Furtick says that "God schedules every season in your life, but He doesn't post the schedule for you to see." Ahh. Isn't that both frustrating and comforting all at once?! It is for me. But then again, I'm still learning to let go.

So today, and every day, I will choose to enjoy these precious moments I've been given during this sweet season of life, while it lasts. I will snuggle them close, and I will breathe in this tiny little girl who wants to lie on my arm and twirl my cross necklace until she falls asleep. And I will be grateful, so very grateful.

Because the next season is coming soon enough. I can feel it. And I hope I be just as grateful in the next season of my life.

How about you? Are you enjoying the season you're in? Do your days look like what you imagined them to be? Would you change anything if you could?

Finding Magic

"Find magic in the little things, and the big things you always expected will start to show up."
-Isa Zapata

Crack Up Cancer 8

Giving generously is something that I feel called to do. I quietly donate sessions to families that come into my life, when my heart leads me to do so. It happens quite frequently, to be honest. I am certain that I donate more of my work than is financially advisable for anyone running a small business, but I digress. My heart feels good for sharing when I can.

In addition to personal giving, there are a couple of favorite local charities that I love to support.

One of my favorite charitable organizations is Cure on Wheels, specifically the Crack Up Cancer annual fundraiser at the Tampa Improv in Ybor. My clients (and now friends), Jack and Brittany Bevilacqua, founded this annual event 8 years ago to honor Jack's parents who lost their fight with cancer, to celebrate life and greet obstacles with a light heart (as his mom did), and to raise money for local cancer research organizations. What's most impressive is that 100% of the profits from the event will directly benefit local cancer patients in Tampa Bay: specifically Moffitt Cancer Center and St. Petersburg YMCA Livestrong Program.

I'm proud to have donated my photography services to their raffle for three years in a row (congrats, Lesley!), but last night was the first year I was able to attend in person. What an experience!! So many wonderful local businesses and company freely gave their goods and services to be raffled off. And like Jack said, "that makes me want to do business with those people."

Besides the raffle, the event offered several hilarious comedy acts, great company, and a tribute slideshow of survivors, fighters and sadly many who have lost their lives to this horrific disease. I got choked up several times throughout the slideshow, just thinking about my Momaw Bertie and her current fight with breast cancer. About my last visit with her this summer, wondering if it might be my last. I thought about Momaw Grace, who lost her battle years ago, and about so many friends and family members who've been affected in large and small ways. 

If you've never been to a Crack Up Cancer event, please reach out to Jack and Brittany and get on the list to be notified next year. Or watch my blog for updates next summer/fall. You won't want to miss this.

Cure on Wheels also holds two annual bike challenges to raise additional funds (this one and this one). You can join in or learn more about this amazing, all-volunteer group of survivors, fighters and supporters at www.cureonwheels.org. Makes me want to grab my kids and our bikes and join them!

Announcing... 2014 Holiday Mini Sessions!

They're back!

Holiday Mini Sessions are here, and I can't wait to see your beautiful faces in just a few weeks. I've chosen a new beach, something special and different and a little closer for the North County folks. It offers natural, largely un-fussed-with landscaping, soft Gulf waters, mossy rocks, lots of greenery, and the prettiest sunsets you ever did see.

Get in touch ASAP if you'd like to reserve your mini session. Reservations are extremely limited this year.

If you think you'd rather have a full 1-2 hour Signature Session instead, well then I'd love to see you that way too! I have a few open dates left in September and even fewer in October. (The holiday season tends to book up in reverse!) 

I hope to see you soon!

xo,
Stacey

Their three sons

This is one of my favorite families. I met them when their oldest was just a teeny baby, and what a gift to also be able to now photograph their third baby... a third son.

What a lucky mama, to be loved and adored by three little boys.

And a lucky daddy too. (Is that not the sweetest newborn grin you've seen?)

The photo above of the boys looking at their parents' wedding album just melts my heart. Further proof that your family photos are not just for you to enjoy today, but eventually to bless your children. And theirs.

“Sons are a heritage from the LORD, children a reward from him.”

— Psalm 127:3

Lessons From a Messy Kitchen: Being Authentic

Some days, it's hard not to get distracted by the dirty dishes and the leftovers, the unfolded laundry and homework to check, the little noses to wipe and naps to enforce. The bills to pay, papers to file, errands to run. Donations to give and people to serve... they are all good things, either necessary or important and all certainly worthy of my time, but my heart gets as tired as my body.

This week, I chose cuddling a sick one over getting work done, and I have to admit... I begrudged it. Even as sweet as my little patient was. I'm not proud of that, but it's the truth. I worked late hours after the kids were asleep, to make up some lost time, but without the option to sleep in or nap the next day, I got tired and rundown myself and guess what? Sick, all weekend. 

Yesterday I slowed down, turned off my phone and email, read a book, and baked a batch of cookies to share with the neighbor kids who came over to play. I recharged in as much solitude as you can get with three kids in the house, and I went to bed early, accepting more of His grace. Not because I deserve it, but because I desperately need it.

If you have been reading here for awhile, you know that I like to keep things positive here on the blog as much as I can. In all honesty, I would love to only show you pretty pictures and have you believe that my life is easy, my children cooperate for photos and are obedient and kind. But on most days, that's not real life. And I believe in being authentic, as you'll also know if you've been with me for the past few years. Even if it's not pretty.

Along with those delicious homemade cookies comes a messy kitchen. Both literally and figuratively speaking.

Anyone else in need of grace this Monday morning? You are not alone, friend. Life is tough sometimes whether you have no children or five of your own, if you manage your own business or if you work long shifts for someone else, whether you're a great cook or if you fight the urge to order takeout every night. And I'd rather you not know how messy my kitchen/life is, but if sharing my daily struggles, along with the highlights, will encourage another mama... then I'll gladly share. 

Let's be real. Ok? And then let's lift our chins together. I've got a plan to make this week as productive and positive as it can be. I've made coffee, have taken two kids to school, and have snuggled and settled the sick one in. My to-do list won't know what's hit it today. We are equipped to handle whatever the day brings. Even if it gets messy.

I'm just like you. I may never "have it all together", but if you share your burden with me, then maybe it will be a little lighter for you. I'd love to encourage you if I can.

Miss Macy

My sister pretty much rocks. And so does her family.

Their strength is inspiring, their faith amazing. It was a treat to photograph them during my trip to Kentucky this summer, and my privilege to share their images with you here.

What I See

I took this on the night of my dad's birthday, in the front yard of their house, just as the last of the light was leaving the sky. It was the first birthday I'd been able to spend with him in years. And looking at this today, I'm a little emotional. (What else is new, right?!) ;)

I love the gray in my dad's mustache, the laugh lines that he so happily earned (mostly from telling stories and jokes and pulling mischievous pranks). His bright, smiling eyes. That familiar grin. His warm bear hug. I look at this picture and I see my features that so closely match his. I am awed at how similar our faces are, 22 years apart. I realize how alike we are and yet how different. And I hope that I can keep a warm smile on my face and enjoy my family just as much as he does, in 22 more years.

I remember the arguments we had when I was a teenager. (Don't all dads & teenage daughters have those?) But I remember when he allowed me the freedom to make my own choices, and how good it felt to have his approval, even in adulthood. I flash back to him in the hospital years ago after he'd had a heart attack, and how afraid I was that I'd lose him. I remember how he flew to Clearwater in July, just to get right back in the car and help me drive 1000 miles back to Kentucky with my kids. How he mailed me back all the little items I'd left at their house, and included a letter and money for me to spend on his grandkids. How he'd fly right back here in a heartbeat if I told him that I needed him.

I see a man who loves Jesus with all his heart and mind and soul. One who tries his best to show his love for others every single day. One who always says that the only thing he wants for his birthday (and Christmas, and Father's Day) is for his family to be together, to hug him, or to call and tell him how much we love him. He's sentimental and affectionate, and he pays close attention to the small things in life. He believes that there is always a Great Plan in motion. 

I see a musician, a talented man with gifted hands who can play any instrument you give him. I hear the bass guitar and the banjo and see him nodding his head a little bit to the beat, and I hear his deep gravely voice singing the low notes.

As for me, I see a tired mommy. :) One who was a little weary from the day, and dreading the long trip home that would begin the next morning. I remember that I had cried all of my makeup off earlier that day, but I'd been comforted by reassurance and encouragement from my sweet parents and from using my camera, as always. I see peace and strength. I see a woman who still lives to create, to document relationships and emotions and love. I see reflections of my family's blessings and joy in that last bit of daylight. I was proud to take this photo with my dad, on his birthday. Makeup or no. To document this moment. To celebrate him.

That's what I see when I look at this photograph. I thank God that my dad is still here on earth with us, and that he stopped to hug me and smile with me and my camera that night. And I hope that one day my kids can look at our picture albums together and tell me what they see in our faces. Maybe they'll see similarities between us too.

My belief is that images aren't just representations of what you look like right now. They are so much more than that... the good ones, at least. I think photographs are supposed to make you feel something, to remember, and to hope. To look at the past, the present and the future.

What do you hope your children see when they look at photos of you together?

Downtime

Just a little movie watching on Bubby's bed before dinner. They were quiet and still for a few minutes of Mary Poppins while I finished up some work. 

I can't believe summer is almost over and the two big ones will go off to school next week. Charlotte will miss them so much.

Go Jump in the Lake

We spent an afternoon last week visiting new friends. Ginger and I have known each other through our photography circles for a few years now, and we were so happy to finally meet in person! My "circle of friends" is intentionally very small, and I'm always amazed at how God brings people into my life who just KNOW what my heart needs at any given moment. Ginger is that kind of friend, truly.

Our kids got along beautifully too... and we joked that they were all inspiring each other to be fearless. They splashed in the lake, jumped off the dock and leapt from the deck of their boat that was moored just a few feet off the shore. Ginger's kids taught mine to kayak, and even my little Charlotte was brave enough to try to paddle by herself (with Parker swimming along behind her). They played soccer, ate popsicles, and swung on the tire swing. We had lunch on the back patio and watched boats go by, as we laughed and talked like we'd been best friends for years... serving each other's children, wiping little mouths and drippy chins, refilling juice and pouring more tea. 

And pouring fresh life into one another's hearts while we did so. 

In her son's room, a sign on the wall reads "Go Jump In The Lake". It's the perfect charge for an adventurous little boy. It inspired me too. Ever since that day, I've been thinking... into what "lake" should I just take the leap? How can I be fearless? Which amazing adventure should I choose? (I have a few ideas already.)

Here is my collection of images from our afternoon, and you can see Ginger's beautiful set of favorites HERE.

And you know what else? I jumped off that dock into the lake too.

I held Lila's hand, we ran and jumped at the same time, and I yelled all the way down.

It felt amazing. Lila was almost as happy as I was.

Go jump in the lake, friends. Those beautiful waters are good for the soul.